Thank you to the 100-plus community members who participated in the recent Imagine OPRF community conversation! After six months of deep, intensive research into the high school's facility needs, the 40 Imagine OPRF team members were excited to share our findings. The small-group dialogues and dozens of one-on-one conversations provided us with quality feedback that will be invaluable as the team works toward our goal of recommending a facilities master plan this summer.

As participants learned, our vintage high school has served Oak Park and River Forest remarkably well since it was built more than a century ago. Over the past 15 years, the community's support has allowed the district to invest in critical needs, such as replacing the roof, installing new boilers and HVAC control systems, tuckpointing the exterior, updating plumbing and wiring, and improving lighting.

A hard-working and passionate faculty has done an amazing job of working within the constraints of classrooms built for teaching in another era. But in 2018, a host of facilities issues impede the ability to fully engage in today's student-centered, collaborative teaching and learning: Non-compliance with ADA accessibility requirements, cramped classrooms, and a lack of the technology and equipment that will thoroughly prepare students for college and career are just a few.

To learn more, visit ImagineOPRF.org. And mark your calendar for the next community conversation on April 16 at 7 p.m. in the OPRF south cafeteria. We'll be sharing a first look at potential options for a facilities master plan!